Native Sons

Tribes put the wow in powwow

9/5
Ah, those hot days at Traders Village. You know the place. The smell of pickles and popcorn filling the air. Your accidental step in a pink glob of gum that baked all day in the sun just for you to goo your shoe. Those great knockoff T-shirts that fade after the first wash. And larger-than-life rugs with pictures of Siberian tigers woven on them hanging outside an incense-filled shop. But this village isn't only the home of swap-meet charm; it also hosts the annual National Championship Indian Pow Wow. In its 41st year, the Dallas/Fort Worth Inter-Tribal Association-sponsored event continues to bring beautiful arts, cultural heritage and dance to Grand Prairie. American Indians representing several tribes from across the country bring their traditions and talents to the event, so expect a large array of art exhibits, handcrafted jewelry and plenty of authentic food. Dancers dressed in full regalia featuring intricate beadwork, bells and feathers will compete in more than 11 categories. The first competition starts at 8 p.m. September 5. Traders Village is located at 2602 Mayfield Road in Grand Prairie. Admission is free, and parking is $2. Call 972-647-2331. --Jenice Johnson

9/6
Hammer Time
PBS started this vast, tight wing-nut conspiracy of do-it-yourself home renovation nearly 30 years ago with This Old House. Now, entire cable networks spew hands-on, fix-it-up programming 24-7, enticing home owners to redecorate, demolish, landscape and, in general, get dirty, play with power tools, spill paint, have fun and save money. We're on a first-name basis with TV renovation celebrities who've followed in Bob Vila's and Steve Thomas' footsteps--from Frank, Ty, Vern and Amy Wynn of A&E's Trading Spaces to HGTV's Paul "The Gardener Guy" James and Brien Blakely of Weekend Warriors. Blakely's hammering home his show's "reality" theme Saturday at the Dallas Home and Garden Show. Weekend Warriors doesn't gloss over the often-awful truth of getting jiggy with jigsaws and cordless drills. Blakely's commentary covers planning errors, judgment errors, scheduling problems and weekend projects that go wrong more often than they go right. He's giving one-hour talks with question-and-answer sessions at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the Home and Garden Theater at Dallas Market Hall, 2200 Stemmons Freeway at Wycliff Avenue. Blakely's tips are free with admission. Tickets are $8 for adults and free for kids under 12; only cash is accepted. Call 1-800-654-1480. --Annabelle Massey Helber

9/9
Something New
It can be the greatest day in a woman's life: her wedding. And who cares if you're a 50-year-old bachelorette living alone with your cat Mittens? Everyone has bridal needs. So if you want to delve into the world of weddings, come to The Women's Museum's Bridal Open House and get a taste of that happy day for yourself. Hors d'oeuvres, door prizes, cake tasting and live entertainment will be provided at the museum, 3800 Parry Ave., from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Call 214-915-0890. --Mary Monigold

Brien Blakely

Fair Park midway

Bishops Bible 1568

9/6
Basket Cases
Summer's over, but if you and the kids want to grasp its tail end, then mark your calendars for the State Fair Family Picnic. Along with eating food packed into a basket, you'll have a chance to learn about volunteer opportunities during this year's upcoming State Fair. Be sure to toss a few lawn chairs into the SUV for this outdoor event, which takes place at the Age of Steam Railroad Museum at Fair Park, 1105 Washington St., at 7 p.m. September 6. Call 214-428-0101. --Mary Monigold

9/5
Living Word
Fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls land in Dallas
Everyone has heard of the Dead Sea Scrolls, but hardly anyone can tell you what's in them. First of all, what's not in them: any mention of Jesus Christ. That's because the Scrolls date to just about the time of Jesus and in the two or three centuries before. What is in them: a huge array of Hebrew literature, including the earliest known manuscripts of Genesis, Isaiah and Daniel; previously unknown psalms; and strange apocalyptic texts that seem to echo Christian doctrine in some ways. All in all, the Scrolls, discovered in the 1940s in caves above the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea, provide an unprecedented look at the volatile world of Judaism in the time of Jesus, making the 800 manuscripts a treasure to Jewish and Christian scholars alike. Starting Friday, the Dallas Biblical Arts Center will offer a rare opportunity to view fragments of the Scrolls as part of its exhibit Dead Sea Scrolls to the Forbidden Book. On display will be excerpts from Genesis and Isaiah. As the name of the museum suggests, the exhibit was put together from a Christian perspective and also features a display of rare Bibles. If you have any familiarity with Christian history, you'll appreciate items such as a handwritten Wyclif Bible in English from 1410--this one owned by an Englishman who was tried for heresy and burned for his belief that the scriptures should be offered to men in their native tongue. Tickets cost $21 for adults, $19 for students and seniors and $12 for children ages 6 to 12. The Dallas Biblical Arts Center is at 7500 Park Lane; call 1-877-33BIBLE for tickets and information. --Julie Lyons